Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HR109

Introduced

3/11/22

Refer

3/14/22

Caption

Requesting The Governor And Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Affirm The Safe Access Oahu Program Will Not Be Unnecessarily Extended Beyond The March 5, 2022, Sunset Date.

Impact

The resolution highlights the adverse effects that the Safe Access Oahu program has had on small businesses, which were already struggling during the pandemic. Statistics cited in the bill reveal that the state witnessed some of the highest business closure rates in the U.S., with many local enterprises on the brink of shutting down due to extended restrictions. The request seeks to provide clarity and support for local businesses by ensuring that they are not burdened by indefinite or retroactive extensions of emergency measures, which can create confusion among both operators and customers.

Summary

House Resolution 109 (HR109) requests the Governor and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu to affirm that the Safe Access Oahu program will not be unnecessarily extended beyond its initial sunset date of March 5, 2022. The Safe Access Oahu program was enacted in September 2021 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, particularly the Delta variant, and mandated that employees and customers at certain businesses provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to operate or enter these establishments. Initially intended to last for a set period, the program has faced multiple extensions due to rising infection rates from subsequent variants, notably the Omicron variant.

Contention

The contention surrounding this resolution stems from the balance between public health measures and economic stability. While the intention behind the Safe Access Oahu program is to reduce virus transmission and protect citizens, there has been significant pushback from business owners and advocates who argue that prolonged restrictions undermine their viability and lead to economic detriment. Additionally, concerns about potential overreach by local government authorities in continuously extending emergency health measures have raised issues of trust and transparency among residents, further complicating the conversation regarding safe public access versus economic imperatives.

Latest HR109 Activity

Companion Bills

HI HCR113

Same As Requesting The Governor And Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Affirm The Safe Access Oahu Program Will Not Be Unnecessarily Extended Beyond The March 5, 2022, Sunset Date.

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